A student begins a true and “formal” dance education between seven and eight years of age. Earlier than that is valuable preparatory work to provide a good foundation. In the preparatory levels, students learn to explore their own individual levels of capacity, but are not pushed beyond safe or realistic boundaries. At more advanced levels, teaching a combination lesson would only serve to skim highlights, and would not do justice to full curriculum of either form. The HSDA is a ballet-oriented studio.  The other forms of dance offered at our studio are taught by knowlegable professional teachers, but are mainly to provide variety for ballet students.

Preparatory Dance “DANCE-PREP” (for 4 to 6 year olds) prepares students for the beginning levels of dance with a combination of ballet, tap, creative movement & tumbling. Emphasis is placed on eye/hand-eye/foot motor coordination, lengthening attention span, timing & musicality, lesson etiquette, developing the teacher/student relationship, self-confidence and working with peer groups. Students get the opportunity to see how much fun dance is, and that it’s worth the effort to do correctly. The pleasure and enjoyment of the art of dance is started at this level, and is kept with the student though all the levels they take in the future.

HIP-HOP in it’s truest form. This relatively new (hip-hop started in Los Angeles in the early 1970’s) style of dance has it’s beginnings in night club & social dance. It’s fun, great exercise, plus helping with you on the dance floor at your next party!

JAZZ DANCE designed for ballet and non-ballet dancers, incorporates correct warm-up and dance technique. The HSDA offers the full variety of different methods of Jazz (from Fosse to Fusion), rather than simply offering one style.

BALLROOM/SOCIAL DANCE is also taught at the Hirschl School. Classes for children, teens and adults– singles and couples. We also have private & semi-private classes for weddings and special occasion choreography. Call for specifics!

LYRICAL & MODERN dance are their own art movement forms, having both a neo-classical & contemporary format, taught with either a ballet or jazz style base.

TAP levels beginning, intermediate and advanced, featuring rhythm and show tap.

ADULT CLASSES are real dance classes (with real adults!) in ballet, jazz, physical conditioning, tap & hip-hop, with emphasis on the wants & needs of adults: stress-reduction, exercise, something to do for themselves, or to pursue a love of the art. We offer complete beginners classes, intermediate and advanced levels.

BODY CONDITIONING is the systematic development of movement potential. The five categories are strength, flexibility, muscular endurance, cardio-respiratory endurance & neuromuscular coordination. The purposes may be corrective, rehabilitative, or developmental, but the principles of conditioning remain the same, regardless of the purposes of the conditioning program. Students are taught to develop their own specific regimen for optimum performance with dance and athletics.

PRIVATE LESSONS are available for students to get a “jump-start”, help with moving to the next level, working through weak areas, or for choreography.

SUMMER INTENSIVES are held for beginning, intermediate & advanced students of ballet. Dancers can get a great experience in not only extra dance classes, but dance history, theory, athletic nutrition and safe dancing methods.

Each level is based upon taking the appropriate amount of lessons per week on a regular, uninterrupted basis. The minimum amount of lessons per week are not mandatory, but taking less than the recommended curriculum will slow mastery of each level, and in turn slow progression to the more advanced levels. Each level has it’s own curriculum syllabus, and will take anywhere from 8 to 26 months for completion. This depends on a variety of reasons; age, maturity, inherent ability, adherence and aptitude. Students are moved up when they are ready, and have shown that they have mastered the curriculum within the level. In the beginning levels, growth and learning of new technique and steps is higher. As the student progresses, more time must be spend on maintenance of strength, balance, coordination and flexibility.

Preparatory level “DANCE-PREP” (ballet & tap combination, 4 to 6 year olds) ) as an introduction and preparation level can have either one or two lessons per week.

Ballet level One: Ballet basics (6 to 9 years old) introduces elementary exercises for mastering the placement of the body, legs, arms & head, and developing elementary skills in the coordination of the steps. Basic musicality & rhythm, “safe & healthy” rotation mechanisms and the proper serious attitude toward the art are introduced. Minimum attendance of 2 lessons per week, 3 is recommended.

Ballet level Two: (8 to 10 years old) During this period of study, one repeats the ballet level one exercises in an increased number, stressing the development of the legs and feet through exercises on demi-pointe, and furthering of coordination between movements. Minimum attendance 3 lessons per week, 4 recommended.

Ballet level Three: (9 to 12 years old) In this period the study of center exercises on 1/2 pointe begins. Exercises on turns are begun, and foundation work for “en pointe” is also started. Minimum 4 lessons per week.

Ballet level Four: (10 to 13 years old) involves strengthening the ability in various turns and developing smooth connection of arms and body. This is also the level when basic pointe work is begun. Minimum 4 ballet lessons per week, including one pointe preparatory lesson per week, plus one jazz, lyrical or modern lesson. Note: Pointe prep can be simply taken to strengthen the feet & legs. The pointe shoes are not mandatory in this particular class.

Ballet level Five (12+ years old) stresses technical mastery of beating steps, more complex turns, developing smoothness of graceful movements & suppleness, harmonious movement transitions, more complex adagio and allegro, and developing elevation in the big jumps. Minimum 5 lessons per week, 1 or 2 more would be highly suggested and beneficial.

Ballet level six: In this level, the study of jumps in the various ways and the development of the “balon” quality (bounce, springiness & elasticity) is stressed. The artistry of dance is highlighted. Complex combinations with beating steps performed in a quick tempo are also given. The execution of all fundamental movements in adagio and petit & grand allegro are carried through with finishing touches. Minimum attendance is 5 lessons per week, 1 or 2 more would be highly suggested.

POINTE WORK: Many factors are taken into consideration for this step. Technical ability, age, maturity, dedication to the art, strength & anatomical features are some of the relevant factors. As a rule, 11 years is the youngest a student should ever go “en pointe”, no matter how good are. An Information brochure & free analysis is available to the public with no obligation.

PLACEMENT & PROGRESSION: Students are moved by individual evaluation and assessment. They get moved up when they have mastered the curriculum of that level according to HSDA standards, rather than by class or age.

CURRICULUM, EVALUATION & ASSESSMENT (CEA) for students in ballet. We do an individual technique basics check-up. Students get a written report on the assessment. We make sure students are learning what they’re supposed to in each level. In addition, we have lectures on different subjects relating to improving your dance technique & presentation, and getting the maximum enjoyment from the process.  Items noted in the CEA: curriculum requirements, basic corrections for each student, level evaluation, and strong and weak areas. Students are assessed to maximize progress quickly & safely. A strategic plan-of-action (individually & as a group) is laid out, plus many extra thoughts on how to get the most out of dancing.

DANCE RECITALS are an important part of the training process, but are non-mandatory at our studio. Talent is showcased as students are given the opportunity to perform in front of an audience. We spend most of the year teaching students how to become better dancers and performers before teaching a dance routine. STUDENTS WHO CHOOSE NOT TO PARTICIPATE in recitals still get value from the lessons. Routines are broken into their constituent parts, then each step is taught. Even the youngest student will know how to do each individual step in the dance properly. (This includes proper French names for the ballet dancers). Recital fees and costumes are kept low, realistic and often reusable as regular lesson attire. (HSDA recital fees include a T-shirt and full-length DVD of the show.)

COMPETITIONS: We are highly competitive in that we stimulate our students to strive for self-improvement. We believe anyone who loves to dance and has chosen to do so is already a winner! We do not directly participate in competitions, but we do have teachers and students from other schools that take dance with us to enhance their competition abilities. We treat dance as a physically demanding art form rather than a competitive athletic event. We emphasize building students up, physically, spiritually & emotionally, instead of tearing them down.

Choosing the right school is an IMPORTANT DECISION. It is an investment of time, effort and money. The right teacher and school can produce a physically and emotionally enjoyable (It doesn’t matter how serious you are about the art… it’s still supposed to be fun!) experience, filled with many positive side effects that will be enjoyed for a lifetime.

We understand the SIGNIFICANCE of what we do. What we impart goes far beyond just teaching dance steps: Self-confidence, self-esteem, coordination, and grace are only some of the valuable by-products.

Whether you pursue dance as a career or simply for the joy of the art, HSDA standards to you will not vary. Students get a sense of accomplishment from each lesson as well as the long-term of the training process.